(of an organism or part of an organism) to increase in size or develop (hair, leaves, or other structures)
(intr; usually foll by out of or from)to originate, as from an initial cause or sourcethe federation grew out of the Empire
(intr)to increase in size, number, degree, etcthe population is growing rapidly
(intr)to change in length or amount in a specified directionsome plants grow downwards; profits over the years grew downwards
(copula; may take an infinitive)(esp of emotions, physical states, etc) to develop or come into existence or being graduallyto grow cold; to grow morose; he grew to like her
(intr usually foll by up) to come into existencea close friendship grew up between them
(intr foll by together) to be joined gradually by or as by growththe branches on the tree grew together
(intr; foll by away, together, etc)to develop a specified state of friendshipthe lovers grew together gradually; many friends grow apart over the years
(when intr, foll by with) to become covered with a growththe path grew with weeds
to produce (plants) by controlling or encouraging their growth, esp for home consumption or on a commercial basis
"advance toward maturity," 1530s, from grow (v.) + up (adv.). As a command to be sensible, from 1951. Grown-up (adj.) "mature" is from late 14c.; the noun meaning "adult person" is from 1813.
grow
v.
Old English growan (of plants) "to grow, flourish, increase, develop, get bigger" (class VII strong verb; past tense greow, past participle growen), from Proto-Germanic *gro- (cf. Old Norse groa, Old Frisian groia, Dutch groeien, Old High German gruoen), from PIE root *ghre- (see grass). Applied in Middle English to human beings (c.1300) and animals (early 15c.) and their parts, supplanting Old English weaxan (see wax (v.)).
Have you ever heard anything about God, Topsy? ... Do you know who made you?" "Nobody, as I knows on," said the child. ... "I spect I grow'd. Don't think nobody never made me." [Harriet B. Stowe, "Uncle Tom's Cabin," 1851]
Become an adult, as in Sam wants to be a policeman when he grows up. [First half of 1500s]
2
Come into existence, arise, as in Similar social problems grew up in all the big cities. [Late 1500s]
3
Become mature or sensible, as in It's time you grew up and faced the facts. This usage may also be in the form of an imperative (as in Don't bite your nails—grow up!) [Mid-1900s]
